Another adventure for 12 year old Florian and his bestie Margaret, two wonderfully smart kids who help solve various cases for the FBI as consu4 Stars
Another adventure for 12 year old Florian and his bestie Margaret, two wonderfully smart kids who help solve various cases for the FBI as consultants for the Special Projects Team. When their mentor Marcus is accused of treason, these two are determined to do what’s necessary to exonerate him.
I’ve said it before. The strength of this series is the friendship between Florian and Margaret. They’re loyal, smart, resourceful, and of course imperfect. However, they epitomize what resilience and support is, never wavering when it comes to the other. Tie that all to battling Russian spies, avoiding CIA and NSA interference, and enlisting the help of a foreign mafia boss, and you have a great conclusion to a trilogy that’s all about found family and not judging others by their looks or age.
Obviously, I enjoyed my time with Florian and company, as any association or semblance of a Sherlock-ian story greatly appeals, and I look forward to exploring more of Ponti’s works in the future!
Special shoutout to Laura for bringing this charming series to my attention!
There may have been a slight indication that The Spooky Life was going to be the last book i4.5 Stars
I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
There may have been a slight indication that The Spooky Life was going to be the last book in this well loved series, so I’m simply happy we got another book about ghost whisperer Rain and his steady as rock hubby Danny.
I don’t want to ruin the mystery that awaits readers, but it should come as no surprise that a ghost’s plea for Rain to help find her missing daughters uncovers something far more grim and grisly than he and his team ever suspect.
In and amongst the investigation, Rain’s droll antisocial humor continues to entertain as he and Danny navigate their chaotic lives. They are more than content to remain in their marital bubble of bliss as much as possible, but veteran readers know that the job, their coworkers who are also their best friends, and both sides of their extended family continue to wheedle their way in, creating a messy meddling chaos that’s always fun popcorn fodder to consume.
Be reassured that Rain remains the ultimate trouble magnet serving up endless exasperation to all those around him, not the least the bad guys, and Danny has now graduated to official book hubby status as the guy can say, nor do, no wrong. Unf.
Overall, this continues as a great series with plenty of sobering, and at times shocking, violent gruesome deaths along with great romance, humor, and smexy. Toss in Rain and Danny’s attempts at expanding their family of 2, and this really was a comforting read in and amongst murder and mayhem. One can only hope that Harmon will continue to be inspired and we won’t have to wait too long for another of their adventures!
Admittedly, I have a penchant for anything related to Sherlock Holmes so when the blurb stated such, I was immediately in3.5 Off to a Good Start Stars
Admittedly, I have a penchant for anything related to Sherlock Holmes so when the blurb stated such, I was immediately intrigued.
This starts off with Samantha Harker, daughter of the infamous Jonathan and Mina Harker who faced off and killed Dracula, and it’s no surprise that her interests involve all things that go bump in the night, inevitably finding herself as a researcher for the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena. What many don’t know is that she’s also a channel, a touch sensitive to objects associated with monsters, and she has a personal stake in a series of grisly murders plaguing Paris. When Sam worms her way into being the newest partner of hunter Dr Helena Moriarty, estranged daughter of notorious criminal mastermind of the same name, both must learn to trust each other amidst subterfuge, secrets, and mortal danger.
This is a world full of all the creepy creatures you could want ranging from grindylows to giant snail monsters to shifters, not to mention social inequality and underground terrorists that are intricately tied to the supernatural murders of the French elite that Sam and Helena are investigating.
This had a distinct atmospheric feel to its historic gothic setting along with a hint of sapphic leanings threaded throughout a mystery containing a good amount of gore and horror. The darkness is not too mired down in the macabre due to the sunshiny outlook of Sam as she pursues her personal mission while trying to figure out if partner Helena is a friend or foe.
Again, I like any association with Sherlock Holmes no matter how remote, and the mashup of other literary characters (Harker, Van Helsing, Moriarty) gave a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen(minus the gentlemen) vibe.
Overall, a promising start and should the author continue Sam and Helena’s adventures, I’d be more than willing to go along with them!
Thank you to Bindery Books via NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review...more
For this 4th installment, Liev and his men grapple with their new reality and come face to face with even more unbelievable horror as the “bo3.5 Stars
For this 4th installment, Liev and his men grapple with their new reality and come face to face with even more unbelievable horror as the “boy” seems to hold power over those he’s killed.
This really delves into how emotions are a detriment to survival resulting in impulsive decisions or paralyzing inaction, both of which worsen the situation!
This latest entry expands upon the complicated devastating war between the planet Landfall and its moon Wreath and how it has encompassed many 4 Stars
This latest entry expands upon the complicated devastating war between the planet Landfall and its moon Wreath and how it has encompassed many other species looking for a cause or glory or an excuse, spreading insidiously across the galaxy and having horrible damning repercussions, both on a small and large scale.
Here, our protagonists continue to get caught in the crossfire of several players wanting to utilize the mixed genetics of their child Hazel, for their own cutthroat agenda, consequences be damned.
I remain impressed with the complex storytelling and how it is artistically brought to vivid, violent, and at times, shocking life....more
Seven highly trained and capable men survive an airplane crash only to be faced with even more danger.
When one man’s greed opens a mysterious 3 Stars
Seven highly trained and capable men survive an airplane crash only to be faced with even more danger.
When one man’s greed opens a mysterious locked and guarded box, no one thinks that a harmless looking “statue” could be something more. He should’ve known better and unfortunately, he never sees the consequences coming, setting off a chain of events that potentially spells everyone’s demise.
An interesting start to a serialized story, this first entry sets the stage for more.
Liev is in charge of a nebulous secret mission, and thi3.5 Stars
An interesting start to a serialized story, this first entry sets the stage for more.
Liev is in charge of a nebulous secret mission, and this off the books assignment does him and his mercenary crew no favors as they crash into the isolated mountains of China en route. Facing freezing temps, wild wolves, and grave injuries, their seemingly good fortune of a carved out shelter is anything but.
Graphic violence with hints of upcoming horror, I expect nothing less with the forthcoming installments.
Look. I basically became a fan of Rob Hart after reading Assassins Anonymous, so it was a complete no brainer in picking this book up that he4 Stars!!
Look. I basically became a fan of Rob Hart after reading Assassins Anonymous, so it was a complete no brainer in picking this book up that he co-wrote with Alex Segura. Not surprisingly, this was a win as well.
Told in split POV’s running coincidently, this story follows estranged friends Jose Carriles and Corin Timony. Jose is an ace spaceship pilot who has skated through life on a road of privilege despite a recent personal scandal. Somehow, he has landed a coveted position on a history-making mission to explore the first viable planet that could be the answer to a beleaguered humanity currently struggling to survive on the moon. Timony, who hasn’t had it easy in life, who also was tied up in the same aforementioned scandal, finds herself demoted to riding a desk monitoring messages from space instead of doing what she does best - being a secret agent serving national interests and preventing general destruction.
As this book goes back and forth between Jose and Timony trying to find answers when unexplainable events stall, and eventually threaten, the success of the mission, they slowly unravel secrets that don’t want to be found, where the lives of the crew, and ultimately the last of the human race, is threatened with annihilation.
This has great science to it, and as all stories with this sort of setup, it touches on our base desire and drive to survive and the lengths we go through to merely exist. It is also a very smart, brutally honest, and often unsavory, commentary on what makes us human, HUGE warts and all, encompassing our greed, desperation, and callousness. However, despite our many inherent failings, this asks the question: are we redeemable as a whole? Are we worth saving? I certainly hope so.
For me, I absolutely loved the Star Trek vibes of this. Be reassured this isn’t all existential angst. Hart and Segura don’t fail on the action, suspense, the urgent espionage vibe, shady complex politics, and omniscient powerful aliens who are judge, jury, and executioners of the galaxy where humanity is not exempt. This held my attention with the fast pace and reveals as both Jose and Timony are like dogs with a bone. They may be terribly flawed, but there’s honor and personal growth for these two. They know something is off, that something sinister is going on, and they just can’t let it be. Good thing they don’t.
I obviously enjoyed this, and I’m simply further reassured that Rob Hart (and Alex Segura) are authors to remain on my radar.
Thank you to to the authors and Blackstone Publishing via NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review...more
Granted, this is only the second book, but what makes this nonlinear series interesting is that so far, there’s been a central mystery that MC 4 Stars
Granted, this is only the second book, but what makes this nonlinear series interesting is that so far, there’s been a central mystery that MC Vlad must figure out to solve his current predicament, and Brust delivers on the smart, convoluted threads that interconnect across race, politics, and the past. When the majority of this world lives for centuries, these beings can afford the time and energy to see their plans pan out over many many decades, and it’s a fascinating testament to their scheming and patience to see if they can manipulate others, exact their revenge, or influence events for their own righteous desires.
Here, the reader is introduced to an earlier point in Vlad’s life where he fights a competitor and in the process finds love. Know that Vlad is a human existing in a world dominated by long lived Dragareans (think several hundreds of years or more), and he’s determined to make his mark and succeed in a part of society that looks down on his kind. Here, he’s a newly minted boss overseeing a territory that deals with the seedier side of life and when his business is threatened, he’ll be damned if he lets someone encroach on his turf without a fight.
Overall, a truly original fantasy, complete with again, captivating world building that slowly lays down a historical foundation that I’m sure will continue to build upon itself. The fact that this also applies to the varied characters that play an important part to Vlad’s inner circle, as well as himself, is impressive. All I can say for now is my curiosity is piqued for many good reasons, and I’m happy to know there’s plenty more for me to sink my teeth into.
Seriously, this kid is the poster child of resilience, resourcefulness, and smarts, all tied up with a heart of gol4 Stars
Florian Bates does it again!
Seriously, this kid is the poster child of resilience, resourcefulness, and smarts, all tied up with a heart of gold.
This time around, secret FBI consultants Florian and bestie Margaret go undercover at a private school to find out who's been playing pranks. Normally, this would not fall in the FBI’s jurisdiction, but it just so happens that the President of the United State’s daughter is a possible suspect, or is she a possible target?
This remains pretty solid in reality. The mystery and twists were interesting, and the adults’ actions and reactions were reasonable (minus the implausible part of letting tweens join in chasing down a missing person). However, those are just very small niggles for a really strong series with great life lessons.
Overall, I love the message of embracing your differences and being proud of who you are by focusing on your strengths. This encourages confidence and courage especially when going outside one’s comfort zone or confronting a bully, and the friendship between Florian and Margaret is a top selling point. It is the small things that all add up to tell an engaging story, and Ponti delivers on all fronts!
Nothing like being on the run to mess with one’s outlook or mindset. Alana and Marko are doing their best, but sometimes that’s just not enough4 Stars
Nothing like being on the run to mess with one’s outlook or mindset. Alana and Marko are doing their best, but sometimes that’s just not enough .
Undoubtedly, continued creativity with this story, not only with the multitude of storylines and various character development but with the art which unashamedly brings this story to stark, oft shocking, bright life - ugly violent warts and all!...more
Really, the blurb says it all. Mark is this close to his one year anniversary of not having killed anyone. However, a brute of a Russian mak4.5 Stars!
Really, the blurb says it all. Mark is this close to his one year anniversary of not having killed anyone. However, a brute of a Russian makes an attempt on his life which spurs him to discover the whys of how he’s become a target after disappearing from the dark underworld of being the best assassin for over the past decade. If he wants to continue his recovery, Mark needs answers, but things quickly spiral out of control as complications pile up.
Know that the plot is quick, the thrown wrenches hit hard as this alternates between Mark in the present trying to figure things out and Mark in the past showing how he arrives at his current predicament. I was not once bored. I loved the struggle Mark goes through, seeing his world through a lens of paranoia and situational awareness, fighting a deeply ingrained instinct to kill to easily solve life’s problems. The ingenuity he comes up with to avoid falling back into old patterns was entertaining to see as he’s basically operating with one hand tied behind his back.
So yes, this had plenty of violence, fights, chases, shady agencies, and rival assassins, all entwined with a plausible existential crisis about the moral dilemma that is Mark’s profession. I love me an assassin/mercenary story, and unlike most of these sorts of books, Hart brings a different perspective to his anti-hero that makes him very likable and sympathetic despite his deadly skill set. Though this is serious in subject matter with some very tragic fallout, the best books that I enjoy the most always have a touch of fun factor and humor to them (and believe me, there's plenty of grim dark books regarding this genre who have none of that) which makes this stand out amongst the masses.
Peppered with pop culture references, Hart knows how to lure the reader through his propulsive writing. So, if you want a slightly less flashy John Wick-esque tale full of action, suspense, betrayals, reveals, and the hope for some peace and redemption, then this right here is the answer. Rob Hart is officially on my radar now, and I’ll be checking out previous and future works to come!
Thank you to the author and GP Putnam’s Sons via NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review...more
I came across this on The Quill to Live blog and was intrigued by the idea of a nonlinear series about a central character, where each book ex4 Stars!
I came across this on The Quill to Live blog and was intrigued by the idea of a nonlinear series about a central character, where each book expounds on key moments of the life of assassin Vlad Taltos. Interestingly, this takes place in an alternate universe that is ruled by a revolving 17 houses embodying different talents, ideals, and strengths that mirror a particular animal’s core traits.
This first book is about the House of Jhereg, a cunning, ruthless dragon-like creature the size of a cat, and the only house who allows admittance of humans into their ranks. It is here that lowly human Vlad survives and thrives, and the reader is introduced to him as he tackles his most profitable offer to date - assassinate a thief who stole from the aforementioned house - a task with many mission constraints including an unfortunate tight deadline.
What Vlad encounters are repeated impossible roadblocks and multiple attempts on his own life. In and amongst his going about this frustrating job, Brust slowly peppers this story with fascinating reveals about the cultural intricacies and history of this intriguing world.
Overall, this has impressive political intrigue, long lived races, sword fights, crazy heists, plentiful magic, and a cheeky cutthroat familiar. Vlad is as cunning as he is resourceful, who has built a steady network of varied allies to help in his dubious dangerous endeavors, and curiously, was someone who I enjoyed rooting for.
A solid start and one that I am going to continue to follow through!
In theory, I love science fiction, but in reality, there is a fine line between getting too technical, too detailed in the minutiae, that can 4 Stars!
In theory, I love science fiction, but in reality, there is a fine line between getting too technical, too detailed in the minutiae, that can seriously drag a book down and become mind numbingly boring. For me, the best reads have action, humor, drama, and a bit of angst. Toss in some smexy and that’s yummy icing on the cake!
Fay’s debut novel was that perfect combo for me. She brought all the above and made her main character a banished heroine, forced to be a captain to keep her found family together and accepting a risky job (isn't it always?) to keep food in their belly and her ship in space. Set in a galaxy where 5 prominent families vie for power amongst each other, there’s a current race to stake claim on a new energy source, and Temperance finds herself neck deep in the middle, balancing precariously on the edge of not pissing off those that rule and not dying in the process.
Simply put, this was a lot of fun. In the background is a political web of intriguing power struggles and takeovers amongst these families, as each hold dominion over a precious piece of what makes the world go round, fighting for just that bit of extra to edge out the other while holding off smaller families desperate to get their foothold in. Up front and center is Temperance and her team doing a scouting mission, saddled with yummy man meat Arcadio Escajeda, a top family’s son who’s dangerously sexy and can’t help but clash with Temperance on any and everything.
This has high stakes adventure with a snarky scrappy crew and a heroine that didn't piss me off. Though Temperance’s got grit and training and smarts, and though she has every right to have a chip on her shoulder, she doesn’t. She has a soft ooey gooey center she likes to ignore and compartmentalize, and thankfully, she wasn’t all bluster and hard ass that many female MC’s are unfortunately, stereotypically portrayed. Arcadio is no slouch either. His shiny pretty exterior hides plenty of secrets not surprisingly, and of course he loves the challenge Temperance constantly presents.
The writing is easy catchy. The universe is just complex enough to keep things interesting. Top it off with a loyal crew that is equally strong with their own intriguing pasts and who looks like they’re getting their own HEA stories as well!
So overall, if you’re jonesing for some Firefly vibes with plenty of space shenanigans intermixed with enemies to lovers, close proximity, flirtatious barb filled banter, fast paced action, touches of humorous fun, and some smexy then this might suit your fancy!
I had a grand ole time, and I look forward to the sequel that comes out soon!!...more
A successful first read with Atwater, and I'm definitely intrigued!
I will say the blurb doesn’t tell you everything about what’s going3.5 Solid Stars!
A successful first read with Atwater, and I'm definitely intrigued!
I will say the blurb doesn’t tell you everything about what’s going on, and I’m reluctant to reveal more. Just know that Winnie isn’t all that she seems to be, and though she’s hired to be a governess, past sentiment compels her to promise more than she expects to, and she soon finds herself caught in the middle of a curse plaguing Witchwood Manor.
This was densely eerie and atmospheric, steeped in all sorts of faerie lore, filled to the brim with unsaid truths, dark subterfuge, and dangerous bargaining. As Winnie races against time to rescue her charge, she plays a perilous back and forth with the enigmatic butler Mr Quincy. However, she is honor bound and stubbornly ventures into the fray despite the mortal risks.
This for sure capitalized on its Victorian setting with lots of prim and proper rules and societal class division, all intertwined with various faerie tales and complicated protocol. If you are well versed in such, then you know the fae are very tricksy, always after their own interests and advantages and ready to bind one into an unbreakable promise.
Overall, I liked Winnie. She’s a strong heroine contrasting smartly with the alluringly mysterious Mr. Quincy who in turn, makes an interesting tortured tragic hero. I enjoyed seeing their antagonism turn to grudging respect to more, but beware a bratty child and a very chaste, but layered, romance (which I quite enjoyed). Admittedly, I have a love/hate relationship when it comes to the fae because while a fascinating folk, they come with a bazillion rules of engagement, their cunning and cruelty knowing no bounds. Atwater’s rendition is no different and again, I was intrigued nevertheless.
This neatly concludes the first act of this story arc but leaves the reader wanting more as the challenges ahead have only just begun for Winnie, Quincy, and their allies. Luckily for me the next installment comes out later this year, and I look forward to what's in store for these characters! If you want a historic, gothic faerie infused tale, then this should deliver on all points!
Thank you to the author and Starwatch Press via NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review...more
I’ve only read 5 books in this series, and this was the worst.
I pretty much hated every peripheral character in this. For me, the female1.5 Stars
Ugh.
I’ve only read 5 books in this series, and this was the worst.
I pretty much hated every peripheral character in this. For me, the females were blatant awful stereotypes - one was a hateful bitch who couldn’t get over her preconceived notions. The other wanted to be taken seriously despite her beauty, but tried to use it to get what she wanted anyways. The FBI were unbelievable assholes who had no compunction in using extortion, lying, cheating, whatever means they deemed necessary to win, and their justified stupidity was absurd.
It does not help that this was the longest book ever at over 500 pages with very little action, as this was more a thinking man’s mystery. I kept hoping it would get better, but no such luck. To top it all off, there was no satisfaction in solving the crime, and I absolutely hate when that happens.
Safe to say Reacher remains true to form - judge, jury, and executioner in all facets of his life and those messing with it. I’m ok with that, but I hope this is a rare misstep because I just lost hours of my life that I can’t ever get back. ...more
* A Reader Obsessed *
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